Executive Director of Communications

The University of Massachusetts Amherst, flagship of the UMass system, seeks an experienced and enthusiastic Executive Director of Communications to serve as a senior member of the University Relations management team. The Executive Director will have responsibility for developing and implementing a comprehensive and strategic communications program for advancing the image and position of the University to internal and external audiences. The Executive Director will lead, direct, and manage a professional staff in writing, design, and communications initiatives that support a cohesive communications strategy for the University.

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for University Relations, the Executive Director will develop the departments role as the centralized provider of campus-wide comprehensive multimedia needs including but not limited to: University Homepage and Websites, and Information Technology, UMass Magazine and print collateral, and the creation of websites using content management systems.

The Executive Director will be a collaborative and experienced communications professional with demonstrated success in brand building, consistency of message, and developing, executing, and assessing strategies of integrated communications. S/he must have an understanding of how information technology (enterprise-wide systems, web technology, content and document management, etc.) can support organizational effectiveness. S/he will have a record of progressively responsible administrative roles with the skills to successfully lead a communications team including seven years of communications experience and supervisory experience for a significant size team, with demonstrated ability to develop a teams creativity, productivity, and professional development. Experience managing a 24/7 on-call staff rotation to implement campus alerts is required.

Bachelors degree in communications, marketing, information technology or related field is required. Masters preferred. Significant experience in developing, leading and assessing quantifiable communication initiatives as well as a thorough knowledge of, and demonstrated experience and technical acumen in, the creation and production of various types of communication materials including, but not limited to print, mobile, internet-based, web, and video. Experience creating websites using Content Management Systems.

The ideal candidate will have the experience and ability to enhance University of Massachusetts Amhersts reputation and advance ongoing and long-term goals and projects in academic and administrative departments.

Review of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Nominations, or expressions of interest with resume and cover letter, or requests for more detailed information, should be emailed in confidence to: